Brandon Marshall Wants to Follow Jay Cutler's Path Out of Denver

There's a feeling of déjà vu in the mile-high air around Denver on Monday, as Brandon Marshall's displeasure with the Denver Broncos has moved into the trade-demand stage.

A source close to the situation told FanHouse's Calvin Watkins that Marshall is questioning the team's direction after the Cutler trade, and that concern led Marshall to meet with owner Pat Bowlen.

During a radio interview with 850 KOA in Denver, Adam Schefter of the NFL Network (soon of ESPN) said that Marshall's trade request came after the wide receiver decided not to report to the opening of the Broncos' mandatory minicamp. Marshall told Bowlen, "I think I'd like to be traded," and Schefter said Marshall was unlikely to change his mind, despite Bowlen's request that he take some time to consider options.

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That paints the Broncos into a corner of their own design. When they dealt Jay Cutler to the Bears earlier this offseason, the Broncos showed every disgruntled player how to orchestrate their way off the team.

Marshall has one year left on his rookie contract and is currently set to become a restricted free agent after the season. That would seem to give the Broncos the upper hand in a contract dispute. Cutler's contract status gave him no real leverage to demand a ticket out of town, though, but he made himself such a headache that the team had no real move except to deal him to try and help the team move forward.

With the Cutler trade looming in the not-too-distant past, Marshall's concern with the team's plan is a sensible one, but it isn't that far removed from the contract dispute. Massive roster upheaval in the wake of Mike Shanahan's departure is going to lead to some growing pains, and those growing pains could lead to a downturn in Marshall's stats. If he's set long term, that's not such a big deal, but if he's going to be playing for a new contract it is a much bigger concern.

There won't be any shortage of suitors for Marshall in a trade if the Broncos decide to go that route. Earlier Monday, FanHouse's Matt Snyder made a case for the Chicago Bears as a potential landing spot. The Broncos already have next year's first rounder, however, so the Bears might not be able to conjure up a big enough package to get another deal done.

The Eagles and Jets each made big moves at quarterback this offseason, and it doesn't make much sense to give big money to Donovan McNabb or Mark Sanchez if you aren't going to give them weapons to use in the passing game. Among other potential suitors, the Buccaneers, Ravens and Cowboys come to mind as teams that could use some help at wideout.

(H/T PFT)